Hopes of Nick Kyrgios turning a new leaf in 2017 have temporarily stalled following his blockbuster 1-6, 6-7(1), 6-4, 6-2, 10-8, loss to Italy’s Andreas Seppi.
The former Australian Open quarter-finalist was on course for a comprehensive victory as he raced to a two sets lead in just over an hour. Cheer on by an animated crowd inside the Hisense Arena, Kyrgios’ offensive was stopped as began to struggle with his movement. Leading into Melbourne, the Australian has been troubled by a knee injury. Those difficulties allow Seppi to reignite his match chances, hitting an array of winners on route to levelling the match.
The turn in momentum triggered an outburst in Kyrgios’ anger. Shouting, swearing and slamming his racket onto the ground, the fragile temperament of the 21-year-old was on full display. At his most troublesome, Kyrgios received a point penalty for slamming his racket onto the chair. The penalty came after he received previous warnings in the match.
Seppi strikes back!! A frustrated Nick Kyrgios drops the 3rd set to Andreas Seppi after receiving 2 violations and a point penalty. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/ir9d6hzra1
— ABC Grandstand (@abcgrandstand) 18 January 2017
Kyrgios’ on-court antics failed to lessen the support he received on the court. As the match entered its fifth set, chants featuring Kyrgios’ name erupted throughout the stadium. Opportunities came and went for both men. First is was the 14th seed, who has 40-0 against the Seppi serve, but failed to convert all three break points. Three games later Seppi managed to convert a break , but failed to serve the match out due to some shots from Kyrgios that left many in disbelief.
Down a break in the 5th set, Nick Kyrgios hits a tweener and wins the point. Amazing. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Ol3JOQeIyu
— Parsa (@Parsa_Nemati) 18 January 2017
With every point proving critical to the match, Kyrgios seized his first match point when an approach to the net resulted in a winning forehand. Once again he was denied by Seppi, whose stubbornness in the match was winning him a growing fan base.
Regardless of the fight put up by the home favourite, it was Seppi who prevailed. Breaking for a second time, the Italian secured the win with his 18th ace of the match.
It was a very tough match, I didn’t start the first set well.” Said Seppi. “I couldn’t get the rhythm, but I think I started to play better and better.
“I kept fighting and I think I played well in the important moments (of the match).”
Seppi will play Belgium’s Steve Darcis in the next round.
Dan Evans Marches On
Great Britain’s Dan Evans recorded one of the biggest wins of his career with a 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-3, win over former US Open champion Marin Cilic. World No.51 Evans entered the match high with confidence following his run to the final at last week’s Sydney International. Proving to be the more consistent player on the court as Cilic hit a costly 69 unforced errors, the Brit secured the victory on his third match point.
“I didn’t finish the job the last time on big occasions and had been thinking about that quite a bit,” Evans told Eurosport after his victory.
“To come through, on the last match point, was pretty pleasing for me. I struggled [in the first set], his pace on the ball was pretty quick. Just hang in and see what happens.”
Reaching the third round in Melbourne for the first time, Evans is set to break the world’s top 50 for the first time. In the last 32 he will play either Bernard Tomic or Víctor Estrella Burgos.
